Mind Trick or Is it?
- ishaya titi
- May 25, 2023
- 2 min read
Do you ever notice how you always find the keys in the last place you look? It's not just about keys. It's about the red car you noticed just after someone mentioned red cars, or the number of people wearing blue after you bought a blue dress.
What's that about, you ask? Well, let's dive into the fascinating world of a sneaky mind trick you might have been falling for without knowing. It has a fancy name - confirmation bias.
Confirmation bias is a term that psychologists have been bandying around for years. It’s a fundamental human tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and remember information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or values.
In other words, it's our sneaky mind's way of saying, "I told you so!"
Ever wondered why people only tune into news channels that align with their political views or how two people can interpret the same event differently?
Confirmation bias, my friend! It's like we're all wearing a special pair of goggles that only let in the information that supports our beliefs and filters out anything that challenges them.
Now, you might be thinking, "So what? It makes life easier, doesn't it?"
Well, yes, but there's a catch.
While it's a survival mechanism helping us make quick decisions, it can also lead to decision-making errors, overconfidence, or reinforce stereotypes.
In simple words, too much of anything isn't good, even if it's your own beliefs.
So, how do we handle this? It's simple.
Be aware, challenge your beliefs, and look at both sides of the coin. For instance, if you're a cat person and believe all dogs are bad, spend some time with a canine and get to know them. Who knows? You might end up adopting a fluffy friend!
Remember, it's not about right or wrong; it's about understanding different perspectives. So, let's strive to get out of our comfort zones, question our inherent beliefs, and embrace the beautiful complexity of the world.
Until next time, let's keep those biases in check, and remember, you haven't seen everything until you've seen it from every angle!
With love and a sprinkle of cognitive awareness,
Titi Ishaya.

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